Jeff didn't hear anything else. This whole thing had been about saving Scott.

Instead, he had condemned his son to death.

Jeff stood in the doorway of Scott's room. Memories bombarded him, leaving him feeling weak.

Reading stories.

Tantrums over bedtime.

Looking in only to find Scott missing.

Looking in to find one or more brothers curled up with Scott.

Taking temperatures, bathing his forehead and just sitting holding a hand when he was sick.

The room was exactly as Scott left it that last time before he had been shot down. Everything was strictly in place, bed made with military precision, curtains half open just the way Scott liked it.

There was one addition, though. On the bed, below the pillows, was a folded flag. And on the flag were Scott's medals.

On shaking legs Jeff entered the room, stopping and running his fingers lightly over the flag and tracing the medals. Lucy watched from the doorway, a small frown forming as she watched her husband's actions. Something was very wrong with Jeff. He was behaving as if this was all new to him.

They didn't stay long. Jeff couldn't face looking in the other rooms so they made their way back to the kitchen, where Lucy made coffee and they sat at the table, drinking in companionable silence. If Lucy cast worried looks at Jeff then he was studiously ignoring them. Eventually they retired to the lounge, where the two sat holding hands while an old movie played, and Jeff drifted off to sleep.

He awoke to quiet murmurings. His parents were back and by the sounds of it they were all worried about him. Jeff guessed his reactions to everything hadn't been the best, and if it was the other way round he'd be worried too.

Right now, though, he needed to make a decision.

Should he tell all or accept the consequences of his wish and forget his real - his other - life?

Jeff watched his wife and his parents. Seeing them together like this was beyond his wildest dreams. But at what cost? None of their boys were around. Scott was gone, Virgil had disappeared. The others were living their dreams, sure, but they were not the tight-knit family he was used to. Was he being selfish, wanting his boys back under one roof? Was this the life he would have had?

He couldn't find an answer to any of the questions swirling around his head. Which was viciously reminding him that he'd hit it rather hard earlier. Jeff shifted and yawned, and the conversation stopped. Lucy appeared in his eyesight, all smile and concern.

Jeff sat up and apologised for falling asleep again. His mom came over and completed some more neuro checks, giving him a pat on his shoulder and saying it wasn't anything rest and pain relief wouldn't cure.

He watched his Ma carefully. Every now and then he caught her stealing glances at both her husband and Lucy, and Jeff began to wonder if she was caught up in trying to work out what had happened too. Then he remembered Gaat had said that only the two of them would remember.

Why on Earth did he listen to the man that had been trying to destroy him and his family?

He waited until he managed to get some time on his own with his mom. Grant and Lucy sat at the table while Jeff and Ruth did the dishes. Unsure how to brave the subject, he was relieved when his mom started the ball rolling.

'How are you felling now, Jeff?' Ruth asked. She was concerned. The reactions that Lucy said he'd had to the news of their boys was definitely worrying her. Of course, she'd seen cases of retrograde amnesia in practice, but they usually entailed losing a couple of months to a couple of years, not 23! And people who suffered usually had more random memory loss.

'I don't know, Ma. The world seems a very different place than it was yesterday.' There - feeler put out. Jeff wondered if she'd take the bait. His Ma was a wily bird. Better round it off nicely, he thought. 'It's like I'm living in a different time stream.'

Ruth paused. All day she had felt that something odd was going on. On waking up with Grant she had inexplicably cried. Ruth felt the same when she'd gone downstairs to make a coffee only to realise where she was. And seeing Lucy come haring in after Jeff had hit his head stirred the same emotional response.

Worst of all, she kept expecting one or more of her grandsons to appear at any minute, a feeling intensifying as the day wore on. Something resonated with what Jeff was saying, and Ruth frowned. 'What are you talking about, Jeff?'

Jeff sighed. Trust his mom to get to the root of the problem. 'I – I made a mistake, Ma. A monumental mistake that I cannot change. One that has changed everything.'

Ruth patted her son's hand. Glancing at her husband and daughter chatting quietly, she frowned as a small ache formed in her heart. 'Come, Jefferson. We need to talk.' She led her son out into the back and they sat on the old bench.

With a glance and a smile to Grant and Lucy, Jeff followed and told his mother everything. Absolutely everything. And added one more thing to the list of hurt that he had caused everyone. A tear rolled down Ruth's cheek as Jeff's explanation caused everything to fall into place. He hung his head in shame, only for his mom to gently raise it up to look into his eyes.

'Oh, my poor boy. You did this for the noblest of reasons, but you didn't think this through at all. International Rescue isn't – wasn't – the thing that is closest to your heart. Your boys are. I can totally see how that man manipulated your emotional state. Now. Let's see if we can work out how to reverse this.'

He didn't think he could ever love or thank his mother more.

'You know that if I could reverse this it would mean Dad and Lucy dying again?' Jeff winced to see his mom bite her lip, and he was relieved when she nodded.

'I know, Jeff. But we've got to make things right.' She squeezed his hand and then patted his cheek. 'Let's find out everything we can about this crystal. Do you know where Belah, Kyrano and Brains are? We're going to need their help.'

'You can't go anywhere near Belah, Jeff,' Lucy said behind them, causing both to startle. Jeff looked anxiously at his wife, and by the sadness in her eyes he guessed that she had heard practically everything.

'Lucy…' he started, but he stopped as she bent over the bench and kissed him. Coming around to the front, she sat next to her husband and held his hand.

'No, Jeff. I heard. I shouldn't be here, neither should Dad,' she said, nodding towards Grant as he stood behind Ruth with his hands on her shoulders. 'It explains so much. Why you reacted so severely when you saw me. The funny glances. The surprise at where our boys were.

'You cannot get anywhere near Belah. When he ended our business relationship he took our plans with him. He's become a billionaire on our plans, and when you found out what he stole from us, well, let's just say that you have the mother of all restraining orders against you.'

'But if I cannot get to Gaat, how can I solve this?'

'Perhaps we can help.'

At the sound of a new voice all four looked up to see Kyrano and Kayo standing together. Jeff looked at the man he had called his best friend for over half of his life. A broad smile broke out, and Jeff jumped to his feet and clasped the man's arms warmly.

'It has been too long, Mr Tracy,' Kyrano said, a touch of amusement in his voice. It had been years since he had referred to Jeff so formally, and from the wrinkling of his nose, he could see that Jeff understood the joke. 'You remember my daughter, Tanusha?'

Jeff pulled her into a one-armed hug. 'Of course! I could never forget my little Tan. Or should I call you Kayo?' The woman laughed and punched him lightly on the arm.

'Same old Jeff, even if this isn't the world I remember,' she grinned. 'Kayo is fine.'

Jeff turned to Lucy and Grant and made introductions. Lucy warmly greeted them, disappearing inside with Ruth and Kayo to get drinks while the men talked.

'What happened, Jeff? I woke up and it's a whole different world? I assume my half-brother is to blame for this.' Jeff gave a guilty smile.

'He's only half responsible. It's mostly my fault.' Jeff went on to explain everything again, with Kyrano asking questions as he talked.

'Ah. I know a little about what he used, but as to how to reverse it, I will need to do some more research. It will take a little time, but I know exactly the man to help us. If you are willing to wait one more day, Jeff, we can get started tomorrow.'

Jeff pondered the man's words. One more night with Lucy before he was going to lose her again but keep his sons, or keep her but lose his boys.

This was going to be the hardest decision he had ever made.